This city has the worst rat problem in the US, and no, it's not New York

There are some titles that American cities really want to compete for: best restaurants, most walkable, best place to visit in winter, best place to visit in summer. However, there are other titles that American cities are really vying not to receive. One of those is definitely Orkin’s naming the rattiest city in the United States.

For the past 10 years, the city that has borne that burden has been Chicago. But for the first time in a decade, a new city has been crowned the most rat-infested. To determine which city is most infested with rats this year, Orkin reported which tracked which city had the most “new rodent services in owner-occupied residences from August 20, 2024 to August 21, 2025.”

According to this data, Los Angeles has been named the “Rattest City in the United States.”

On the full Top 50 list, four different California cities were represented: Los Angeles at No. 1, San Francisco at No. 4, Sacramento at No. 19, and San Diego at No. 24.

Chicago didn’t fare much better this year, only dropping to second place on the list. Orkin reports that although it is no longer the worst place for rats, the Midwest gem “continues to struggle with high levels of rodent activity in its dense urban landscape.”

Beyond the general icky vibes that rats have, they also pose a huge structural problem. “Rats and mice are more than a nuisance: they are opportunistic,” Orkin entomologist Ian Williams said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. “If there’s food, warmth, and a way in, they’ll find it. And once inside, their constant chewing and rapid reproduction can quickly turn a small problem into a big, expensive one.”

While this isn’t exactly the kind of wanderlust news that will make you want to book a flight to one of these “noisier” cities anytime soon, don’t let this deter you completely. Anywhere there is food and infrastructure, there will be rodents. “Rodents are highly adaptable and are attracted to the same resources that humans need: shelter, food and water,” Orkin’s report explains. “They thrive in moderate climatic conditions, increasing their chances of survival and supporting continued population growth. Meanwhile, urban sprawl continues to create new hotspots and opportunities for infestation.”

And sometimes, a few unwanted furry friends (enemies?) are worth the price of unforgettable meals, stunning architecture, and epicenters of culture. These are the top 10 cities with rat infestations in the United States in 2025: